Tag Archive for: 2015

Typism Conference 2015

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The way we do the things we do
This week Salt had the amazing opportunity to attend the second annual “Typism” conference which was devoted solely to a topic close to our hearts {think our 2015 “Drop Caps” Salt Calendar} – TYPE!

The format
The format for the day was very simple – seven speakers each presenting a 45-minute review of who, what and why. The introduction to each speaker were brilliant visual presentations in themselves! And the speaker’s design capabilities shone even in their presentations.

The venue
The Conference was held at Event Cinemas at Robina on the Gold Coast. What a great venue for over 250 attendees! Comfy seats, easy-to-see speakers, brilliant visual presentations on a HUGE screen AND a speed-shopping opportunity at lunchtime!

The speakers
Jessica Cruickshank, Jamie Clarke, Luke Lucas, Carla Hackett, Barry Spencer, Dave Foster, Jasmine Dowling.

When we grow up we want to be just like Carla Hackett and Jess Cruikshank {the internet versions of course!}

It was great to hear how each speaker was in their own way challenged and motivated by the same creative drive as our own. Their experiences and the professional career paths were as varied as the many typefaces (and fonts) that we saw on the day!

Lessons learnt

  • As designers we have a responsibility not just to reproduce text – but to appreciate and execute type in such a way that enhances its impact and interpretation. We should consider ourselves the monks of this new millennia. If we don’t design type well – who will??
  • A typeface is made up of fonts (not the other way around)
  • We all have moments of self doubt. How we respond to them is key to where they may take us.
  • It’s not a case of “Do what you love” but rather “Love what you do”. Discovering a passion for type can result in an entirely new career path or simply provide reassurance that we are already in the right job.
  • To become a well-rounded human being one must pursue another hobby totally different to a passion for type. For us it’s interior design, shoes, cats and our families!
  • Don’t be intimidated by what you can’t do … “Say yes then shit yourself later!” {thanks Jess Cruikshank!}
  • A little OCD is a good thing (Dave Foster estimated he spent 2,500 hours to design one of his fonts! Now that’s dedication!!!)
  • Even creative people need a process. We may want to be free and easy to design from the heart. But unless we have a process by which to realise our ideas the result may not be what we had first envisaged.
  • Pants are optional (only for those freelancers fortunate to work from home)
  • Must try frozen grapes!

Congratulations
Congratulations to Dominique Falla who organised this splendid event! The diversity of speakers was testament to Dominique’s personal passion for type and her desire to provide a forum to share, educate, connect and inspire with fellow ‘type-geeks’. So Dominique – when’s the next conference???

What now . . .
Already our focus on kerning and font styles has been heightened this week. Now we’re yearning for classes, pinning new ‘hand-drawn type’ boards and ‘gram-ing’ all things typographical.

We’re also off to find a new hobby . . . perhaps a trip to the beach is in order this weekend!

salt-shaker-signoffBecause everything is better with a sprinkle of salt!
SALT.Shaker
Feature image and guest speakers by Typism.

Typism Conference Goodie Bag featuring: Thank you. Group // TypographHer // Type Worship // Mi Goals // Everyday Cre8ive // brandless. // Mail Chimp // Aurelie Maron // Maverik Studio // Monotype

Jess Cruickshank Typism Presentation // Love her home studio and design process!

Dave Foster Typism Presentation // And this is a picture of an Owl!

 

Goals, dreams, passion … and robots! Women in Print 2015

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Each year we have the opportunity to network with other female collegues within the print and design industries at a function sponsored by Heidelberg and supported by Printing Industries Australia. Each year the calibre of guest speaker is fantastic – and this year was no exception as we listened to the inspirational story of Marita Cheng.

What is Women in Print?

Women in Print, as just as the name suggests – is a collaboration of women in the print media industry. The group acts as a support team, offering opportunities to network while benefiting women from all walks of life, in and around the industry.

Effecting real-world change through engineering!

When you think of engineers the stereotypical maths/physics geek immediately comes to mind. But Marita Cheng definitely does not fit this mould! Sure she’s a brainiac – but she also has a heart and soul, and her passion to make the world a better place has driven her to achievements far beyond her years. Find out more about Marita via her website.

Robogals… one woman’s quest to get more females involved in Engineering
Noticing the low number of girls in her engineering classes at the University of Melbourne, Marita rounded up her fellow engineering peers and they went to schools to teach girls robotics, as a way to encourage girls into engineering.

While on academic exchange at Imperial College London, Marita expanded the group to London. Then, through innovation and sheer will, Marita expanded Robogals throughout Australia, UK, USA and Japan. In just 5 years, Robogals has grown to 18 chapters in four countries and has taught robotics to over 16,000 girls. Robogals now runs robotics workshops, career talks and various other community activities to introduce young women to engineering.

I am strong. I am invincible. I am WOMAN.

  • Always have goals no matter what age or stage your career is at
  • Make goals real by making them achievable
  • Inspiration is everywhere and within everyone
  • Girls can do anything!

salt-shaker-signoffBecause everything is better with a sprinkle of salt!
SALT.Shaker

 

Thanks also to Roberta from Konica Minolta for the generous invitation to attend WIP.
The event was sponsored by

salt-women-print-sponsors